Simnel Cake Recipe

Simnel Cake is a delightful Easter treat that perfectly balances rich flavors and a festive spirit. With its moist almond cake layered with marzipan, this traditional British dessert captures the essence of celebration. traditional hot cross buns.

Picture the aroma wafting through your kitchen as you bake this cake, filling your home with warmth and nostalgia. Simnel Cake is not just any cake; it’s a symbol of springtime joy, perfect for family gatherings or Easter brunches, promising a flavor experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Easter chocolate cupcakes.

Baking this cake always brings back fond memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where we would gather around the table, eagerly waiting for her famous Simnel Cake to cool. creamy chicken casserole.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is best; it helps create a light and fluffy texture in your cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works wonders here, providing sweetness that balances the richness of the cake.
• Eggs: Using large eggs ensures the right moisture level and helps bind everything beautifully together.
• All-Purpose Flour: A versatile flour that gives structure without being too heavy; sift it for best results.
• Ground Almonds: These add a delightful nutty flavor and contribute to the cake’s lovely moistness.
• Baking Powder: Essential for leavening; make sure it’s fresh for optimal rise.
• Mixed Spice Blend: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, it adds warmth and depth to your cake.
• Marzipan: Use high-quality marzipan for rolling out and layering; it adds that signature sweetness.
• Apricot Jam: This acts as glue between layers; a little sweetness goes a long way!
• Whole Marzipan Balls (11 pieces): These represent Jesus’ disciples; they’re not just decorative but delicious too!

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it Together

Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake tin with parchment paper for easy removal later. For more inspiration, check out this Easy Irish Soda Bread recipe.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy.

Add Eggs Gradually: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding another so you don’t end up with an eggy surprise!

Sift in Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and mixed spice blend. Gently fold these into the mixture to maintain airiness—no one wants a dense cake!

Add Marzipan Layering Ingredients: Reserve about one-third of your marzipan for topping later. Roll out the rest into two circles that fit your baking tin perfectly.

Bake Until Golden Brown: Spoon half of your batter into the prepared tin. Layer one circle of marzipan on top before adding remaining batter. Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean from the center.

Cool and Decorate!: Once baked, let cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. When completely cool, warm apricot jam slightly and brush over the top before placing the reserved marzipan disc on top.

Create Beautiful Egg Shapes!: Shape remaining marzipan into 11 little balls (or eggs) representing Jesus’ disciples. Arrange them on top of your decorated cake, fun yet meaningful!

Now you have a beautiful Simnel Cake ready to impress your family! Enjoy every slice while sharing stories around the table, you might even start new traditions along with this recipe! mini cherry pies.

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preparing the fruit mix while you preheat the oven to 325°F. Cream the butter and sugar, then gradually add eggs and dry ingredients for a smooth batter. This sequence ensures even baking and enhances flavor development.

Add Your Touch

Consider swapping dried fruits based on your preference or adding a splash of brandy for an extra kick. You can also explore different spices like nutmeg or ginger to personalize your Simnel Cake experience. For more inspiration, check out this Irish Beef Stew recipe.

Storing & Reheating

Store your Simnel Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If reheating, slice and warm briefly in the microwave to enjoy that soft texture again without drying it out.

My first attempt at making Simnel Cake was on Easter Sunday, and let’s just say it turned into an unexpected family baking competition—my sister’s cake looked like a masterpiece, while mine resembled a deliciously lopsided disaster!

FAQ

What makes Simnel Cake special?

Simnel Cake features layers of marzipan and is traditionally enjoyed during Easter celebrations.

Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?

Using fresh fruit isn’t recommended as it alters the cake’s moisture balance significantly.

How do I know when my Simnel Cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready!

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

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Simnel Cake

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• Author: Jennifer
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: Serves 12 1x

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Description

Simnel Cake is a traditional British dessert that embodies the spirit of Easter with its moist almond cake and layers of sweet marzipan. This delightful recipe brings together rich flavors and elegant presentation, making it perfect for family gatherings or spring celebrations. The aroma of freshly baked Simnel Cake will fill your home with warmth, while each slice promises a nostalgic taste experience that everyone will love.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup ground almonds
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp mixed spice blend (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice)
• 8 oz high-quality marzipan
• ¼ cup apricot jam
• 11 whole marzipan balls (for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake tin.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated.
4. Sift in flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and mixed spices; gently fold into the mixture.
5. Reserve one-third of the marzipan for topping and roll out the remaining into two circles.
6. Pour half of the batter into the prepared tin; layer one circle of marzipan on top and add remaining batter.
7. Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
8. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Brush warm apricot jam over the top and place reserved marzipan disc on top.
9. Shape remaining marzipan into 11 balls for decoration.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (75g)
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 85mg